When I turned 25 last year, I was inspired to create my own “before I die ..” list, or bucket list if you will. Though I don’t plan on dying anytime soon, this list helps me keep track of all those random hopes & dreams that often get lost in day-to-day goings-on.

Today, I get to cross out the first entry in my bucket list: “publish a non-fiction book.” July 28th, 2010 marks the release of my very first book, 27 Things to Know About Yoga (have you ordered your copy yet!?). The great folks at Turner Publishing took a chance on me & together, we’ve created a great book that could help thousands.

At age 26, my dream of becoming a published author has come true. Before the end of the year, I’ll be releasing my 2nd book with Turner, 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living – a subject very dear to my heart. TWO books in ONE year … I never would have imagined this in my wildest dreams!

So it is with great pleasure that I cross out the first item on my list. Here is my updated “before I die … ” list:

• Publish a non-fiction book
• Jog a 5K
• Visit Sweden with my mom
• Visit Italy with Logan (my husband)
• Live in Europe for at least 1 year
• Be debt-free (pay off: credit card, car, & school loans)
• Teach a class
• Write a memoir
• Knit a sweater
• Become a certified yoga teacher OR personal trainer
• Study Ayurveda
• Study Buddhism
• Study massage
• Try Pilates
• Try flower arranging
• Try ceramics
• Try crochet
• Try rock climbing
• Try archery
• Try canoeing

[Even as a baby, I had that cheesy grin - big smiles for everyone!]

I don’t know about you, but every birthday makes me think about what I have (and haven’t) done. Thanks to my “notable” birthday, I was inspired to write a “Before I Die … ” list.

Sound sad? Not at all! The idea is simple: a list of things you want to do before you die (the name implies that, huh?). I find the experience of being a human and exploring all the world has to offer as immensely exciting. Unsurprisingly, my list is consistently growing & quite varied – full of things to do, try, learn, and places to visit.

My current “Before I Die … ” list includes:

+ Jog a 5K

+ Publish a non-fiction book

+ Try archery

+ Try ceramics

+ Visit Sweden with my mom

+ Knit a sweater

+ Try rock climbing

+ Become a certified yoga teacher OR personal trainer

+ Try Pilates

+ Live in Europe for at least 1 year

+ Be debt-free

+ Visit Italy with Logan (my husband)

+ Teach a class

+ Study Ayurveda

+ Study Buddhism

+ Try flower arranging

+ Try crochet

+ Try canoeing

+ Write a memoir

+ Study massage

As the list changes (via additions and accomplishments), I’ll be updating the blog with pictures and stories of my adventures. Variety is the spice of life – and I love how it tastes!

What’s on your “Before I Die …” list?